NEW YORK CITY October 25, 2023—Teach For America (TFA) today released a list of colleges and universities contributing the greatest number of graduates to its teaching corps. This year’s corps of 2,200 diverse leaders hails from nearly 650 colleges and universities, 44% are first generation-college graduates and 60% identify as Black, Indigenous and people of color. TFA teachers come from all backgrounds, majors, sectors, and identities; what connects them are common mindsets, skills, and a belief that all students deserve the opportunities that a high quality education affords. Teach For America bases recruitment efforts on research that highlights the characteristics of corps member who significantly expand opportunity for students.

The key characteristics from the research include: 

• a deep belief in the potential of all kids;
• demonstrated ability to create meaningful change and a bold vision beyond the status quo;
• a strong commitment to learning;
• and respect for individuals' diverse experiences and the ability to work effectively with
  
  people from a variety of backgrounds.

Among large schools, the University of California Los Angeles, Arizona State University, and the University of Texas contributed the greatest number of graduates to the TFA corps, with more than 120 graduates combined leading classrooms this school year. Georgetown University, Dartmouth College, the University of Chicago, and Yale University topped medium-sized schools, contributing more than 50 graduates collectively. Among small schools, Spelman College and Barnard College rank highest, with more than 20 total graduates joining the corps. The newest corps grows Teach For America’s network to 70,000 leaders committed to working alongside many others in rural and urban communities across the country to ensure that every child has an education that prepares them to learn, lead and thrive.

“We’re inspired by the leaders who are stepping up to address the challenges in our public education system. They're diverse in their backgrounds and experiences, but united in their commitment to educational equity,” said Darin Lim Yankowitz, Senior Vice President for Recruitment at Teach For America.

“For over 30 years, Teach For America has been finding, developing, and supporting some of our nation's most talented early-career leaders to expand opportunities for kids in education and every other sector of society. It's exciting to welcome these new teachers from these incredible colleges and universities across the country to the Teach For America community."

About Teach For America

Teach For America works in partnership with communities across the country to expand educational opportunities for children. Founded in 1990, Teach For America finds, develops, and supports a diverse network of leaders who expand opportunity for children from classrooms, schools, and every sector and field that shapes the broader systems in which schools operate. Today, Teach For America is a force of nearly 70,000 alumni, corps members, Ignite fellows, and staff working in pursuit of profound systemic change so that one day every child has an equal opportunity to learn, lead, thrive, and co-create a future filled with possibility. Teach For America is a proud member of the AmeriCorps national service network. For more information, visit www.teachforamerica.org and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Contact

Natalie Laukitis | (646) 369-7306 | Press.Center@teachforamerica.org